
Transcriber's Note: The original was typeset in German Fraktur. Text that was s p a c e d - o u t has been changed to *italics*.
A four‑story cycle opens with the flamboyant playwright Mario Malvolto, whose late‑night monologue on love, ambition and fleeting triumph sets a tone of sharp wit and restless yearning. He drifts through a glittering banquet, a moonlit carriage ride, and a cityscape that feels both familiar and strangely theatrical, inviting listeners to hear the echo of a world where art and ego collide. The language ripples between lyrical observation and biting irony, drawing the audience into a Paris‑ish, Italian‑tinted atmosphere that feels both decadent and oddly intimate.
The remaining novellas shift effortlessly from comic sketches to darker, more introspective pieces, each offering a distinct glimpse into lives caught between illusion and reality. Whether following a restless wanderer, a daring woman, or a brief, twisting romance, the stories balance humor with a quiet melancholy, inviting listeners to reflect on the fleeting nature of desire, the masks we wear, and the subtle power of everyday encounters.
Language
de
Duration
~2 hours (137K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jens Sadowski
Release date
2010-02-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1871–1950
A sharp, socially engaged novelist, he used satire and political fiction to challenge the arrogance and authoritarian spirit of imperial Germany. His best-known books, including Professor Unrat and The Loyal Subject, helped make him one of the boldest critical voices in modern German literature.
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